About This Word Search Game
This free online word search drops you into a grid of jumbled letters with a target list to clear, and your job is to drag across the board to uncover every hidden word before the clock runs out. It bundles 30 hand-tuned levels into three difficulty modes — Easy on a 7×7 grid, Medium on 10×10, and Hard on a sprawling 14×14 board — with a live score, a streak multiplier, a hint system, and star ratings that reward speed. Everything runs in your browser, so there is nothing to install and nothing waiting behind a paywall.
Words aren't just sitting left-to-right, either. Depending on the level, they can run horizontally, vertically, diagonally, and even backwards, so spotting them takes a real eye rather than a quick scan.
How to Play
The goal of each level is simple: find every word on the "Targets" list before the timer hits zero. If the clock runs out with words still hidden, the level ends and you can retry it.
- Drag to select — press the first letter and drag in a straight line (across, down, or diagonally) to the last letter. On a phone or tablet, press and drag with your finger.
- Words can run backwards — on Medium and Hard, a target may be hidden in reverse, so a selection read either direction counts as a match.
- Build a streak — each correct word scores its letter count × 10, boosted by a streak multiplier that climbs with consecutive finds, up to ×5. A wrong selection resets the streak to zero.
- Beat the clock for a bonus — clearing every word awards a time bonus of 5 points for each second left on the timer, so finishing fast pays off twice.
- Use hints sparingly — a hint flashes the first letter of a random remaining word but costs 50 points, and each level only gives you a few (fewer on harder levels).
Difficulty Modes and Stars
Each mode has 10 levels, and you unlock the next one by completing the current level. The grids and rules scale up as you climb:
- Easy (7×7) — starts with words running only across and down, then adds diagonals from level 6 onward. Generous timers make it a great warm-up.
- Medium (10×10) — a larger board with diagonals from the start and reversed words added a few levels in. More targets, tighter timers.
- Hard (14×14) — the full challenge: all eight directions, longer and trickier words, the most targets per level, and the fewest hints.
Star ratings reward efficiency. Finish using half the timer or less for 3 stars, up to three-quarters for 2 stars, and anything slower earns 1 star. The game remembers your best rating for every level, so there is always a reason to replay an old board faster.
Tips and Strategy
- Hunt by first letter — pick a word from the target list, scan the grid for its starting letter, and check the surrounding cells for the next one.
- Chain your finds — the streak multiplier is where big scores come from, so when you spot one word, look for an easy second one immediately to keep the chain alive.
- Grab the long words first — longer words score the most and are often easiest to see once you catch their shape on the board.
- Don't forget diagonals and reversals — on Medium and Hard, the words you can't find are usually hiding diagonally or spelled backwards.
- Save hints for the last word — that single stubborn target at the end is exactly what the 50-point hint is for.
Who Plays Word Search
- Commuters and coffee breaks — an Easy 7×7 board is the perfect two-minute distraction while you wait for the bus or the kettle.
- Parents and teachers — a screen-friendly puzzle for kids that quietly builds spelling and pattern-recognition skills.
- Office downtime — no install or sign-up means it works on a locked-down work laptop when you just need to reset your focus.
- Puzzle fans chasing 3 stars — the Hard mode and star ratings give completionists a real target to perfect.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Is this word search game free to play?
Yes. All 30 levels across the Easy, Medium, and Hard modes are completely free. There is no download, no account, and no payment. Open the page and start hunting for words right away.
+Can I play the word search on my phone?
Yes. The grid is touch-friendly, so on a phone or tablet you press a starting letter and drag your finger across the word, just like clicking and dragging with a mouse. The board scales down on smaller screens so even the 14×14 Hard grids stay readable.
+How is my score calculated in this word search puzzle?
In this word search puzzle, each found word is worth its letter count times 10, multiplied by your current streak multiplier (which climbs to a maximum of ×5 for back-to-back finds). When you clear every word, you also earn a time bonus of 5 points for each second left on the clock.
+How do I earn three stars on a level?
Stars are based on how much of the timer you use. Finish a level using half of the allotted time or less to earn 3 stars, use up to three-quarters for 2 stars, and anything beyond that earns 1 star. Speed matters more than raw score for your star rating.
+What does the hint button do?
A hint highlights the first letter of a random word you have not found yet for about two seconds. Each level gives you a limited number of hints (fewer on harder levels), and using one costs 50 points, so save hints for words you genuinely cannot spot.
+Are my unlocked word search levels and star ratings saved between sessions?
Yes. Your unlocked word search levels, completed levels, and best star ratings are stored locally in your own browser, so they are still there when you come back on the same device. Because nothing is sent to a server, clearing your browser data or switching devices starts you fresh.
More Free Games on Tooldit
If you like hunting for words, try the Word Puzzle game next, or test your keyboard speed with Fast Typer. You can also browse the full lineup on the all games page — every one of them runs in your browser, free and with no sign-up.